At this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple unveiled visionOS 26 for the Vision Pro, marking a major leap in spatial computing. This new version of the operating system follows Apple’s fresh naming convention, where each OS is named after the year it’s released.
visionOS 26 pushes the boundaries of what users can do with the Vision Pro, introducing innovative features that enhance productivity, gaming, and immersion.
Mike Rockwell, Vice President of Vision Products Group, shared his excitement about the new capabilities, including apps and widgets that can be arranged in 3D space, enhanced photo depth, and lifelike Personas. ‘We’re excited to push the boundaries even further,’ said Rockwell, ‘VisionOS 26 brings new ways to connect, collaborate, and experience content like never before.’
Some key features of visionOS 26 include:
- Widgets anchored in 3D space that stay in place between sessions.
- Depth-enhanced photos with Apple Intelligence, making images feel more immersive.
- Enhanced Personas that offer more natural, detailed avatars.
- Support for third-party PSVR2 controllers, enabling users to play VR games on Vision Pro.
- Wide Field of View (FOV) support for content created with GoPro, Canon, and Insta360.
- Spatial browsing on Safari, letting you scroll webpages using just your eyes.
- Ability to drag and interact with 3D models in your environment.
- Unlocking your iPhone while wearing the Vision Pro headset.
For gaming enthusiasts, one of the most anticipated features is the addition of support for PSVR2 controllers, making Vision Pro more compatible with existing VR games. This is a significant shift for Apple, who previously avoided third-party controllers. Users can also enjoy immersive 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide FOV content, opening up new possibilities for virtual reality.
Vision Pro also introduces improvements to the Safari browser. The new ‘spatial browsing’ experience allows webpages to gain depth, creating an entirely new way to navigate the internet. Vision Pro users can even drag 3D models directly out of websites and into their real-world environment, giving them a tangible sense of scale.
In addition to these features, Apple has introduced a stunning Jupiter environment, powered by AI, which lets users explore the gas giant’s extraordinary storms and accelerate time to witness multiple weather events. New Personas are also more lifelike, with significant improvements in their realism, from hair and skin textures to intricate facial details.
Apple continues to position the Vision Pro as a powerful tool for enterprise use, with apps like Dassault Systèmes’ 3DLive allowing users to collaborate in a shared virtual space. The Logitech Muse, a pen-like device for precise input, is also available as an accessory to enhance user interaction in 3D environments.
Despite the advancements in visionOS 26, there was no mention of a new Vision Pro model or the rumored Vision Air, though reports suggest that Apple is working on these next-generation devices.